A 40-year-old man who held a pillow over a pregnant woman’s face has been given a two year suspended sentence.

Treston Morris of Queen Street, Colchester, was before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday.

Previously on what was going to be the first day of his trial he admitted common assault, intentional suffocation and sending threatening messages.

The court heard that Morris had held a pillow over the woman’s face, making it difficult for her to breathe, and had slapped her across the face.

Prosecutor Hannah Gladwell said the relationship began in 2021 and in December 2022 the woman became pregnant.

As her pregnancy progressed the defendant became more abusive and violent and began to drink more.

The court heard details of the suffocation which took sometime between March and April 2023.

Morris shouted at the woman and she told him to leave her alone but he grabbed a pillow and placed it over her face then placed his body weight on it while telling her to stop making a noise.

He also sent threatening voice messages to her while on bail and the court heard he has previous convictions for drug offences.

Defence barrister Nicola May said it was a tumultuous relationship with arguments that spilt over into violence.

She added that although he has antecedent history it is for unrelated offences and Ms May said he had glowing references from prison officers and other women who know him.   

Judge Emma Peters said: “Your actions were cruel and they were violent and having read the pre-sentence report today I was deeply unimpressed by the fact you continued to disparage her character.”

She added it was a “terrifying” thing to happen to a woman in her home while pregnant.

Judge Peters also ordered him to complete a relationship-building programme and 140 hours unpaid work and imposed a restraining order to stay away from the victim.